The One That Got Away | Kataang

Chapter 12- Forgotten

As the group stumbled through the grand gates of the Omashu palace, their hearts were heavy with a burden that went beyond the weight of their exhaustion and Aang's injuries. They might just save the village, but at the same time Arashi escaped and Aang was severely injured. The once vibrant palace now bore an air of somberness, the silence punctuated only by the soft padding of their footsteps as they navigated the familiar halls. Aang, their Avatar, lay unconscious, his body battered and bruised from the fierce battle with Arashi.

Katara, her face etched with worry, held Aang's hand tightly, her touch a constant source of comfort and reassurance. His breathing was shallow, his heartbeat barely a whisper, contrasting the vibrant energy that usually radiated from him. Sokka and Suki, their faces grim, flanked Aang on either side, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of help. Toph, uncharacteristically silent, trailed behind them, her usual sarcasm replaced by a worried frown. Tai, his weathered face etched with concern, walked a few paces ahead, searching for the quickest route to the royal healers. With renewed resolve, they made their way toward the healers' quarters, their footsteps echoing in the cavernous halls. Aang, still unconscious, lay in Katara's arms.

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2 days later

Two days had crawled by, each one an agonizing eternity. Aang remained unconscious in the palace infirmary, his body a broken vessel struggling to mend. Katara, a beacon of unwavering devotion, was by his side constantly. Every few hours, she'd conduct a healing session, her waterbending techniques coaxing his battered body back to health. The rest of the group, however, found themselves adrift in a sea of worry and unspoken emotions. Sokka tried to maintain a semblance of normalcy, organizing patrols and keeping the palace secure. Suki meticulously studied maps and scrolls, searching for any clues that might lead them to Arashi. Toph spent an unusual amount of time alone, the rhythmic thud of her earthbending muffled by thick stone walls.

Tai, however, couldn't shake off the gnawing jealousy that coiled in his gut. Watching Katara's tireless devotion to Aang, the gentle way she smoothed back his hair and whispered words of encouragement, a familiar pang of longing echoed within him. He had always loved Katara, fiercer than any firebending flame. But fear had held him back, fear of rejection, fear of losing her to the Avatar, the chosen one. Now, seeing her so focused on Aang, the main hero who had saved the village, and was willing to sacrifice himself along the way, the weight of his unspoken feelings threatened to crush him. A sigh escaped his lips, he stole a glance at Aang, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest the only sign of life. A sliver of guilt flickered within him, but the relentless tide of jealousy quickly extinguished it. He understood the need to save the Avatar, but a part of him couldn't help but wonder. What if it had been him lying there, broken, and unconscious? Would Katara have shown him the same unwavering devotion? The thought sent a fresh wave of despair crashing over him.

Katara sat alone, picking at her food, her gaze fixed on an unseen point in the distance. Aang lay unconscious in the infirmary, his broken body a constant weight on her heart, guilt and self-loathing threatened to drown her. She should have argued with him, insisted he wouldn't fight Arashi alone. Instead, she'd let him face Arashi alone, a monster that had almost killed him multiple times over the past three years.

And yet, Aang never faltered. He persevered, his determination fueled by the hope of one day reuniting with her. He clung to the memory of their love and friendship, it was his light in the darkness. But what had she given him in return? Betrayal. Not just for her budding relationship with Tai, but for losing faith in him, doubting his strength and his commitment to protecting the world. Shame burned in her chest, the weight of her actions heavy and suffocating. Katara squeezed her eyes shut, tears threatening to spill. The memory of Aang's radiant smile, his unwavering belief in her, flickered through her mind. He deserved better. He deserved someone who stood by him, not someone who left him to face Arashi alone.